Diva Tech Talk interviewed start-up founder Nicol Pasuit, CEO of TechStak (www.techstak.com), a company bringing needed technology assistance to small and medium-sized U.S. businesses. The only girl in a family of 8 children raised on a farm, Nicol embraced a strong work ethic early in life. She graduated from Michigan State University, in audiology and speech sciences, and took an entry-level position working in “outcomes assurance” and referral management at Concentra Medical Centers (https://www.concentra.com/) while simultaneously pursuing her MPA (Masters in Public Administration) at Oakland University. Promoted in 4 months, Nicol managed a 24 x 7 Concentra healthcare clinic. Then Concentra offered her an expanded challenge, managing the company’s specialist services program throughout the Midwest, and eventually nationwide. Nicol grew as a strong leader, “building a high functioning, productive team” --- a majority of whom were women. She also led the buildout, development and project management of many operational tools and software.
Nicol left Concentra in 2015, as it was acquired by Select Medical, founded and “self-funded” TechStak. “It’s one of those things where you look at the moment in time, and you have to be able to take a risk --- living in uncertainty.”
Why TechStak? “There are so many small businesses (28 million in the U.S.) that need technology.” Nicol’s initial target market is 5.9 million small U.S. businesses with 10-499 employees. “They don’t know where to start. They don’t know what questions to ask. They need a way to connect to the right technology provider. One size doesn’t fit all.” Nicole made it her mission to ensure that “those technology services that were only affordable for large companies” can found and used by small businesses. “There’s no Angie’s List for technology,” she exclaimed. “But TechStak can connect these businesses to the right tech providers.”
TechStak relies on internally-created proprietary “matchmaking” technology, which Nicol continues to iterate to “change it up, using machine learning techniques” as the company grows. Nicol’s initial key hires were in marketing, business development process-mapping, and database administration, supplemented by technology services firms, working under contract, to build out TechStak’s solutions. From HR to business development to service and product development, Nicol manages it all.
Nicol characterizes herself as “a control freak.” She credits her propensity for “being scheduled, and planning things out” as contributing to high productivity. Being a woman never slowed Nicol down as she has pursued her career to date. “I have never been told ‘you cannot do something.’ If I want something, I am going to go after it.” Her lessons/advice to other startup founders include: ask questions; be a great listener; watch others and emulate them; connect with people who can help you; obtain a mentor; surround yourself with people who are smarter than you and bring different talents to the table; and step outside of your comfort zone.
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